the Lardis of Dun
and Pettarrow, new consultatioun was had what was best to be done: and
in the end it was concluded, that thei wold follow fordwart thare
purpose anes intended, and wold committ thame selfis, and whatsoever God
had gevin unto thame, in his handis, rather then thei wold suffer
idolatrie so manifestlie to regne, and the subjectes of that Realme so
to be defrauded, as long thei had bein, of the only food of thare
saules, the trew preaching of Christes Evangell. And that everie ane
should be the more assured of other, a commoun Band was maid, and by
some subscrived, the tennour whareof followis:--

"We, perceaving how Sathan in his memberis, the Antichristis of our
tyme, cruelly doeth rage, seaking to dounethring and to destroy the
Evangell of Christ, and his Congregatioun, aught, according to our
bonden deuitie, to stryve in our Maisteris caus, evin unto the
death, being certane of the victorie in him. The quhilk our dewitie
being weall considdered, We do promesse befoir the Majestie of God,
and his congregatioun, that we (be his grace,) shall with all
diligence continually apply our hole power, substance, and our
verray lyves, to manteane, sett fordward, and establish the most
blessed word of God and his Congregatioun; and shall laubour at our
possibilitie to have faythfull Ministeris purely and trewlie to
minister Christis Evangell and Sacramentes to his people. We shall
manteane thame, nuriss thame, and defend thame, the haill
congregatioun of Christ, and everie membour thairof, at our haill
poweris and waring of our lyves, against Sathan, and all wicked
power that does intend tyranny or truble against the foirsaid
congregatioun. Onto the quhilk holy woord and congregatioun we do
joyne us, and also dois forsaike and renunce the congregatioun of
Sathan, with all the superstitious abominatioun and idolatrie
thareof: And moreover, shall declare our selfis manifestlie
ennemies thairto, be this oure faithfull promesse befoir God,
testifeid to his Congregatioun, be our subscriptionis at thir
presentis:--

"At Edinburgh, the thrid day of December, the year of God J^m. V^c.
fyfty sevin yearis: God called to witnesse.[702]

(_Sic subscribitur_,) A. ERLE OF ERGILE.
GLENCARNE.
MORTON